The stranger and existentialism

Existentialism - we are an isolated island of subjectivity. And it is from this theory existentialists come to the conclusion that we have absolute freedom over our internal nature. To an existentialist Existence preceeds Essence, this basically means we are free to act independently from outside influences and these free choices create our own human nature. These key themes to existentialism link into the novel The Stranger by Albert Canus, Meursalt, the protagonist, is an unperceptive male whose existence is based upon sensory experiences. The light of the sun shining off the Arabs knife is what in fact leads to his murder not that meursault is being threatened by the knife. Meursault made a choice and is willing to live with the consequences of that choice. This helps us to undersatand existentialism a little bit better. Angered by somthing Meursault makes the decision to kill the arab and is ready to deal with the consequences. To an existentialist life is pointless, brief and has no meaning, on the last page Meursault says, "I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again." this quote shows that, to him, there is little difference between life and death, everyhing is the same to him, as shown by the proposed marriage between himself and Marie. It makes no difference to him if they are married and it didnt matter. The Stranger shows an extentialist view point of existing in the moment worrying about nothing and doing what you want to do.